Memorial bench dedicated for former Poly High athlete killed in Afghanistan

LONG BEACH - It was a bittersweet moment for Lesly Garcia, as dozens gathered Friday in the quad at Poly High School to unveil a memorial bench to honor her husband, Sgt. Israel Garcia.

Garcia, a 24-year-old Long Beach resident, was killed July 13, 2008, while serving his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"It's an honor that he's here. It's like he's immortal and he's going to be a part of this school forever," Lesly Garcia said. "He's going to inspire students and encourage them to pursue their dreams."

Israel Garcia, known to his family as Ira, had a passion for soccer, a sport he played all four of his years at Poly. But he also always wanted to join the Army, family members said.

"He would often say soccer was his life, but not his destiny," his wife said.

But before Garcia left to protect the country, he was looking out for his teammates, said his former soccer coach Cameron Beaulac.

"I was blessed enough to have the opportunity to coach Israel when he was here at Poly," he said during an emotional speech. "He will always be a part of the Poly soccer family."

After graduating from high school in 2002, Garcia was off to the military.

While stationed in Italy, Steven Kerns, another Long Beach resident and 2005 Poly graduate, joined Garcia's military unit. When the unit deployed to Afghanistan, hometown stories soon made them friends.

Garcia was always the kind of man who would take the more difficult, but right, way, Kerns said.

"I never forgot he went to Poly and I never forgot the character he had," he said. "He really had strength of character, and that's not common anymore."

Inspired by that character, Kerns was determined to do something to memorialize his friend and fellow soldier.

"When you know something is the right thing to do, you just have to do it," he said. "A lot of people will let it sit in the back of their mind and don't do anything about it, but that's not the kind of person Israel was and that's not the kind of person I wanted to be for him.

"It definitely gives me a stronger faith in humanity and the community," Kerns said. "I now believe people will do the right thing when they know it's right and that there is good in the world."

The memorial bench, which sits on the north side of the quad, will allow students to remember the sacrifices made for their freedoms, Lesly Garcia said.

"Students are going to fight hard and not hold back in whatever they want to do with their lives," she said. "This bench means a lot to me, and to the students, and to everyone who has been touched by my husband's story."

In addition to the memorial bench, the Sgt. Israel Garcia Silver Star Award, now in its third year, is presented to a Poly High male athlete who exhibits extraordinary courage in his athletic performance, demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity and serves as an inspiration and role model for others.